I’m new to covering as a Teacher in Sped in Washington State.I just started online College to get a BA in Elementary Education.I have been a Para in Sped for 7yrs & 7 months now.My Teaching will start on August 24,2022.I know nothing about the paperwork or to set up curriculum for the kids.We deal with Preschool to 8th grade.Some Head Start kids which are 3yrs old to 4yrs old.I am kinda on my own for curriculum. Our kids do a lot on laptops for Reading,Math,and some writing.They use to journals.
Don't underestimate your experience. Work closely with the regular Ed teachers . Insist on having planning time with them. Using their curriculum and specifics in the IEPs try to supplement their lessons with materials that are appropriate for the learning levels of your students. Make sure you document the required accommodations and Direct Services minutes. If you are comfortable making modifications insist on them. Since you are unlicensed, legally you should have a certified teachers assigned to mentor you and be responsible for the legally required documentation. I applaud you for going to get your certification. At least you have more experience than my son who only has a HS Diploma that they have hired to be a Substitute!
I was told by ESD not to sign anything as a Teacher for Sped.I did tell my boss that we need a Teacher in Sped well I learn how to do a little of the basic paperwork,not IEP’s yet.My boss said a person would come maybe once a week or every 2 weeks.Thankfully we are a small School.
I hope you’re son does okay as a substitute.Just depending on where he is put.Our Teachers leave lesson plans to follow basically to give ideas on what to do.I was a substitute my first month as on call for the Computer Lab for 3 weeks.I had to ask our Principal questions often.Then I was hired as a Sped Para.
Do you have a mentor? You should be able to meet with one to guide you through the process. All ask your sped supervisor or department chairperson. Good luck!
Not much help from our Director/Superintendent/Principal.I will have to ask a lady from our ESD office when she comes.I believe ESD will be more help to me.
I would look to your other teachers for curriculum resources if you have to start from scratch and have no templates! It can be tough when you're first starting out, but try to ask admin or others in your grade for help understanding the paperwork specific to your school. If they do a lot of their work online, your curriculum shouldn't be too tough to plan out if you can follow the programs. You can do this!
I do talk with the Teachers a lit on our Sped kids on their class work.I did push in service for 21/22 School year in classrooms & subbed as a Teacher here & there from Kindergarten to 8th grade & Culture.
Aside from getting a mentor teacher through your district, I find it helpful to use the Teachers Pay Teachers website for grade specific activities and especially for special education. There are a good amount of freebies and many low-priced pre-prepped lessons and activities. You’ve got this!
I used to work in WA. Are you able to tell what district you are in?
Creative Curriculum will help set up the classroom. Read Well is an excellent reading curriculum. Heggerty phonological is another excellent beginning reading program for phonemic awareness. Not a fan of "balanced literacy" as it lacks the solid foundational skills needed. The paperwork is a whole other issue. What online program are you using? Are you doing the academic testing too ( I had to), the eval reports are a huge responsibility. Are you in a rural district?